Indication-box for switches



No. 6l2,979. Patented Oct. 25, I898.

J. B. STRUBLE.

INDICATION BOX FOR SWITCHES.

(Application filed Mar. 1, 1898.) (No Model.)

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WITNESSES:

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE,

JACOB B. STRUBLE, OF \VILKINSBURG, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR TO THE UNIONSWITCH AND SIGNAL COMPANY, OF SWVISSVALE, PENNSYLVANIA.

INDICATION-BOX FOR SWITCHES.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 612,979, dated October25, 1898.

Application filed March 1, 1898. Serial Nol 672.195. (No model.)

T at whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, JACOB B. STRUBLE, a citizen of the United States,residing at Wilkinsburg, in the county of Allegheny and State ofPennsylvania, have invented or discovered certain new and usefulImprovements in Indication-Boxes for Switches, of which improvements thefollowing is a specification.

It is characteristic of the latest type of electropneumatic switch andsignal mechanism that the switch -lever can be shifted sufficiently farto effect through suitable interposed mechanism an unlocking, shifting,and locking of the switch when shifted, but is prevented from beingshifted sufficiently far to unlock the signal-lever by a lockelectrically controlled from the switch mechanism. Two of theseswitch-lever locksone controlling normal and the other reverse movementsof the leverare employed. It has heretofore been customary to maintainthe circuit of one look, as the normal, closed until the switch had beenunlocked, shifted, and locked in reverse position by the describedpartial movement of its lever and then to break the normal lock-circuitand complete the reverse lock-circuit. Hence the switch may be locked inone position while the indication at the machine shows the switch lockedin the opposite position.

The object of this invention is to provide for the breaking of oneindication-circuit as a condition precedent to the unlocking andshifting of the switch, the other indicationcircuit being closed afterthe switch has been locked in its new position, so that the oper- V atorat the machine may have accurate information as to the position orcondition of the switch.

In the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this,specification,Figure 1 is a top plan View of the mechanism controlling theindicating-circuits. Fig. 2 is a View, partly in elevation and partly insection, of the controlling mechanism; and Fig. 3 is a transversesection, the plane of section being indicated by the line III 111, Fig.2.

The inclosing box or case 1, which is preferably provided with a hingedlid 2, is secured on the cross-ties 3 in such relation to the mechanismfor operating the rails and looks that the slide-bar 4 will be movedsimultaneously with or slightlyprior to the shifting of such switchlocks or rails. This slide-bar is preferably formed integral with theslideplate of the switch-operating mechanism and is provided with lugsor bosses 5 5, arranged to engage one or the other of the prongs forming the jaws 6 6, which are formed in sleeves 7 7. These sleeves areloosely mounted on pins 8 8, so secured in the sides of the box 1 thatthe jaws will project down into paths of movement of the bosses 5 5 onthe slidebar 4:. The sleeves 7 7? are provided with arms 9 9, which havetheir ends pivotally connected to blocks 10 10, which are movablymounted in line with each other in suitable bearings in the box orcase 1. These sliding blocks are provided with contacts preferablyconstructed in the form of rollers 11 11, having their bodies formed ofrubher or other insulating material and their peripheries by metalsleeves. As the blocks are shifted back and forth the rollers will bemoved into and out of contact with the springs 12 12, which are securedon suitable insulating-supports in the box or case, at each end thereofand on opposite sides of the sliding blocks, and form terminals of theindicating-circuits.

The initial movements of the slidingblocks are efiected positively bythe sliding bar 4; but the movements are completed by springs suitablyarrangedto be compressed or placed under tension by the initial positivemovements of the blocks. A convenient manner of arranging the springsand connecting them with the blocks is clearly shown in the drawings.The springs 13 are secured at one end to the walls of the box or case orother suitable abutment and have their free ends connected by links 14to the sliding blocks. As the blocks are shifted from either positionthe pair of links connecting eachlblock to the actuating-springs arebrought into alinement with each other, thereby placing the springsunder tension, which will be effective to complete the movement of theblocks as soon as the links have been moved slightly out of alinement.

The blocks are made of such a length, and

the contact-rollers are so mounted thereon, and the pairs ofcontact-springs 12 12 are arranged such a distance apart that bothcircuits cannot be closed at the same time. The boss 5 is so arranged onthe slide-bar 4: that it will engage and shift the jaw 6 and therebyshift the block 10 to break the normal indication-circuit before theswitch-rails are unlocked. The boss 5 is so located that it will notengage the jaws 6 to shift the block 10 until after :the switch-railshave been shifted and locked in their new position.

It will be observed that the block which was shifted to complete theindication-circuit is held in such position by the boss or lug whicheffected the movement of said block. It will also be observed that whenboth blocks are in normal position-2'. e., with one indication-circuitbroken and the other closedthe block which was shifted to break oneindication-circuit is held in such position by the block shifted toclose the other circuit, the latter being held by its shifting lug orboss, as described.

I claim herein as my invention- 1. The combination of two contactsforming terminals of switch-indicating circuits, two movablecontact-blocks for closing said circuits, and means for shifting one ofsaid blocks prior to the unlocking of the switch and the other blocksubsequent to the locking of the switch in its shifted position,substantially as set forth.

2. The combination of two contacts forming terminals ofswitch-indicating circuits, two movable contact-blocks for closing saidcircuits, means for shifting one of said blocks before and the otherafter the shifting of the switch-rails, and means for lockin g theblocks when shifted, substantially as set forth.

3. In an indication-box, the combination of two pairs of springs formingterminals of switch-indicating circuits, two blocks provided withcontacts for engagement with said springs, pivotally-mounted jawsconnected to said blocks and a slide-bar provided with bosses arrangedto engage and shift said jaws, substantially as set forth.

4:. In an indication-box, the combination of two pairs of springsforming terminals of switch-indicating circuits, two blocks providedwith contacts for engagement with said springs, said blocks being soconstructed and their contact so arranged thereon, that one block willhold the other block with its contact out of operative relation tosprings and means for shifting the blocks in succession, substantiallyas set forth.

5. In an indication-box, the combination of two pairs of springs formingterminals of switch-indication circuits,two movable blocks provided withcontacts, springs arranged on opposite sides of the blocks, linksconnecting the springs with the blocks, and means for positivelyshifting the blocks a distance sufficient to bring them into andslightly beyond alinement with each other, substantially as set forth.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand.

JACOB B. STRUBLE.

W Vitnesses:

DARWIN S. WoLcoTT, F. E. GAITHER.

